New quakes trigger panic
New quakes trigger panic
Agencies, Gunung Sitoli/Hong Kong
Panicked residents of Nias island rushed to the Gunung Sitoli port in hope of escaping the island on Sunday after two strong earthquakes near Sumatra, causing fear that another massive quake would strike.
Hong Kong seismologists said the Sunday earthquakes were likely aftershocks of the powerful 8.7-magnitude quake that hit the region last week.
A magnitude-6.1 quake centered 280 kilometers west-northwest of West Sumatra capital city Padang was recorded at 8:05 a.m. local time, the Hong Kong Observatory said as reported by AP.
A second quake registering 6.3 hit 190 kilometers south- southwest of Medan at 10:16 a.m. local time, it said.
It was not immediately clear whether the quakes caused any casualties or damage.
"Many people have fled to Sibolga, afraid that Nias will be sunk before too long. This is not true. Stay calm," said Pastor Mikael To'pr in his sermon at the Santa Maria church in Gunung Sitoli on Sunday. Sibolga is on the west coast of Sumatra island.
The aftershocks sent some people, who were still reeling from last week's quake, into a panic.
Antara reported on Sunday that fear of another massive earthquake had sent many Nias residents packing and off the island in the last two days.
Sunday's aftershocks prompted some residents to abandon their houses, pour into the street and flee to higher ground, detikcom reported.
The fresh quakes also forced Gunung Sitoli hospital to evacuate their patients -- mostly victims of last week's quake -- outside into open space.
The island was hit by a massive 8.7-magnitude earthquake last Monday, when its residents were just recovering from the Dec. 26 earthquake-triggered tsunami that killed more than 238,000 people in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam and North Sumatra last year.
Nias deputy police chief Alisman Nainggolan said on Sunday that the bodies of last week's quake victims could not be immediately evacuated due to difficulties in reaching the remote area.
Aid is slowly reaching victims on Nias, where roads have been destroyed and many areas remain cut off. Supplies are being sent in by air and boat.
Thousands of people are facing food and water shortages.
"It should be under control very shortly. There are hungry people out there, but we are not talking about starvation," said Gerald Bourke, a World Food Program (WFP) official on the island.
WFP officials have said 200,000 people may need food and water provided for them over the next two months.
Peter Scott-Bowden, UN team leader in Gunung Sitoli, said one of the main concerns was the need to get shelter materials out to people. Many who have not lost their homes are too afraid to sleep in them, he said.